T
TerryClause
Member
Hi there,
A couple years ago a group of teens/young men approached me in a parking lot, a few blocks away away from my home, and tried to rob me. I was completely took by surprise, and in my panic I freaked out and fought back, which unfortunately only made them more violent and aggressive towards me. I walked away from that incident very upset but did not let it bother me for too long, thinking it was random and I wouldn't run into them again.
A few months later I was walking near the same parking lot and that group recognized me and chased me in a car and then assaulted me. What was really concerning is that there were more people in their group that time. I filed a police report but unfortunately the police couldn't find them.
If anyone can give me some advice on these specific thoughts, which are still causing me anxiety and depression:
-For months I had no clue that this group of people wanted to fight me/attack me...I don't know how badly they wanted to hurt me, and it's upsetting to think that someone out there wanted to inflict serious violence on me: what can I tell myself to convince myself these people couldn't have seriously harmed me?
Part of me wants to believe that these were just hot headed young guys trying to act tough, but the fact that they took it so far the second time, and that they used a car to follow me, tells me that these people might be criminals and were actually trying to seriously hurt me. Because it was a group, I know I couldn't have protected myself, and that is why I'm still anxious - I felt defenseless, and even knowing that I could call 911, I feel scared that I would be alone and no one could help me in time.
-The other thought that causes me major anxiety is this: If I did go back to my normal routine, what would happen if I saw them again?
Part of me believes I would have a serious panic attack or go into a rage and do something wrong. The stronger part of me tells myself I should stand my ground and call the police ASAP, but I have HUGE anxiety about how those people would react, because even if some of them got arrested, I was afraid one of the people in the group would've gotten away and then that person would harass me really violently for calling the police on them.
If anyone's been through something similar (i.e. harassed by thugs who don't know when to stop), and could give me some advice so that I can think logically again, I'd really appreciate it! I used to feel like these things only happen to rough people, but I was just at the wrong place at the wrong time and it's consuming me so much, especially when this type of thing does not happen in my neighborhood. It's very overwhelming to think about, and makes me feel like I'm unsafe, even though this thing is not common in this area.
Thanks!
A couple years ago a group of teens/young men approached me in a parking lot, a few blocks away away from my home, and tried to rob me. I was completely took by surprise, and in my panic I freaked out and fought back, which unfortunately only made them more violent and aggressive towards me. I walked away from that incident very upset but did not let it bother me for too long, thinking it was random and I wouldn't run into them again.
A few months later I was walking near the same parking lot and that group recognized me and chased me in a car and then assaulted me. What was really concerning is that there were more people in their group that time. I filed a police report but unfortunately the police couldn't find them.
If anyone can give me some advice on these specific thoughts, which are still causing me anxiety and depression:
-For months I had no clue that this group of people wanted to fight me/attack me...I don't know how badly they wanted to hurt me, and it's upsetting to think that someone out there wanted to inflict serious violence on me: what can I tell myself to convince myself these people couldn't have seriously harmed me?
Part of me wants to believe that these were just hot headed young guys trying to act tough, but the fact that they took it so far the second time, and that they used a car to follow me, tells me that these people might be criminals and were actually trying to seriously hurt me. Because it was a group, I know I couldn't have protected myself, and that is why I'm still anxious - I felt defenseless, and even knowing that I could call 911, I feel scared that I would be alone and no one could help me in time.
-The other thought that causes me major anxiety is this: If I did go back to my normal routine, what would happen if I saw them again?
Part of me believes I would have a serious panic attack or go into a rage and do something wrong. The stronger part of me tells myself I should stand my ground and call the police ASAP, but I have HUGE anxiety about how those people would react, because even if some of them got arrested, I was afraid one of the people in the group would've gotten away and then that person would harass me really violently for calling the police on them.
If anyone's been through something similar (i.e. harassed by thugs who don't know when to stop), and could give me some advice so that I can think logically again, I'd really appreciate it! I used to feel like these things only happen to rough people, but I was just at the wrong place at the wrong time and it's consuming me so much, especially when this type of thing does not happen in my neighborhood. It's very overwhelming to think about, and makes me feel like I'm unsafe, even though this thing is not common in this area.
Thanks!